A new approach to digital literacy through critical thinking.
Context
Many internet users are not fully capable of distinguishing true from false information. They have difficulties in looking for valid sources, often merely consuming information without critically engaging with it. Various studies have explored the generational differences in the consumption of fake news. While people of all ages can fall for fake news, studies have shown that older adults are more vulnerable than young people to believe and share fake news and digital misinformation.
Objectives
- To support digital inclusion by enhancing the media literacy and critical thinking skills of seniors (65+).
- To provide adult educators with useful professional skills and action-oriented methods for developing older people’s ability to detect intentional misinformation on the internet and in social media.
- To apply age-sensitive didactic and methodological principles in digital competence education to promote and facilitate the participation of senior learners in lifelong learning in general.
Activities
- Explore the existing situation, networks, activities carried out in the local community regarding digital skills and fake news, by conducting interviews and consolidating desk research.
- Develop a curriculum and related training materials for a blended learning offer for adult educators who work with senior learners with regards to fake news on the internet.
- Pilot a series of workshops directly addressed to senior learners (65+) who want to develop their digital competence and critical thinking with regard to fake news on the internet.
- Challenge local communities to learn, discuss and understand the importance of digital skills and fake news through the SAFE Learning and Information Hub.
Resources
- SAFE Train-the-Trainer Programme: a curriculum and related training materials for a blended learning offer for adult educators who work with senior learners (65+).
- SAFE Fake News Workshops: series of workshops directly addressed to senior learners (65+) who want to develop their digital competence and critical thinking with regard to fake news on the internet.
- SAFE Learning and Information Hub: an online learning platform as well as an information repository and networking tool for senior learners and adult educators.
Impact
- 150 older people will be directly involved in the research, development and piloting phases of the project;
- 100 adult educators will directly participate in the research, development and piloting phases of the project;
- 120 participants will attend the Multiplier Events in Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy and Cyprus;
- Deeper understanding of the importance and benefits of digital literacy and critical thinking for digital inclusion of older adults;
- Applicable knowledge, skills and competences for using age-sensitive didactic approaches to foster digital literacy and critical thinking among older learners;
- Improved knowledge to distinguish between “real” and “fake” news;
- Higher confidence to use the internet as a “digital immigrant”;
- Increased skills to produce online content;
Partners
- LJUDSKA UNIVERZA PTUJ (Slovenia,Coordinator)
- DIE BERATER UNTERNEHMENSBERATUNGS GESELLSCHAFT MBH (Austria)
- BUPNET BILDUNG UND PROJEKT NETZWERKGMBH (Germany)
- KENTRO MERIMNAS OIKOGENEIAS KAI PAIDIOU (Greece)
- CESIE (Italy)
- CENTRE FOR ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LTD-CARDET (Cyprus)
